Reflecting on Terror


Frederick William Schmidt posted the following on FB today. I think he’s identified the issues that we must wrestle with to better understand what is happening in our “terroristic” world of today.

Here are assumptions Schmidt identifies at work in too many of the responses to terror.

Assumption #1: That there is any such thing as universal values.

Assumption #2: That if we simply reasoned with people or provided them with alternatives, that this kind of thing would not happen.

Assumption #3: That this problem is somehow the product of a historical vacuum, without precedent.

Assumption #4: That we can handle the situation through good police work or that when this kind of thing happens, it's due to poor police work.

These would be wonderful reflection points for anyone or group wanting to better grasp and respond to our world.

 

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